Coronavirus (Covid-19) help and advice for SME business customers

Covid-19 is sadly affecting everybody, including our nation of SME business owners. We understand that many businesses right now are in financial difficulty and for some the cost of energy is huge.

How we’re supporting our business customers

We understand that energy can be confusing at the best of times.

For our existing customers please reach out to us, we may be able to attempt an arrangement on your behalf. If you have had to close one or more of your sites, please make us aware. We will inform your energy supplier in the reduction of consumption. Please remember the importance of keeping the direct debit live.

For any new customers, we can still help. All we require is a letter of authority allowing us to act on your behalf. We can then seek to attempt a payment arrangement for you. This service is completely free.

Finally if your contracts are due to expire soon, please do not let them roll into out of contract rates/deemed rates, they are extortionate. If you have received a renewal letter from your existing supplier do not accept it, search around first. Energy is similar to car, pet, home insurance etc. the renewal is not always the most competitive on the market.

We can search the entire market for you (again completely free of charge) and discuss the best options available depending on your current circumstances. The oil market is at a low. Take this opportunity to make savings for your business at a time when it’s needed the most.

How
is your energy bill calculated?

If your premises are closed and equipment has been shut down due to Coronavirus you should see a reduction in your bills. Energy is charged in pence per kilowatt hour (kWh). The less kWh you use the less pence you pay.

You will also have a standing charge on your bill. These are fixed amounts charged by your supplier for being connected to the gas and electricity network. They don’t relate to how much energy you use. Those with low standing charge options will benefit right now.

If
you are not consuming electricity or gas, you will get a minimal or Standing
charge only bill.

What
should I do if I’m having problems paying my energy bills because of
coronavirus?

Like us all, energy suppliers are facing difficult times too. Some suppliers are willing to help with a range of potential options including payment holidays.

We
must advise not to cancel your direct debit before speaking to your supplier.
Is it encouraged to keep open lines of communication and a show of willingness
to work with your supplier to achieve the best outcome.

Below
is a comprehensive list of the relevant contact points at each individual
supplier:

Advise customers NOT to cancel Direct Debits – Hopefully all of this will be over in a few months and we can get back to business as usual without contracts/credit being affected.

Submit regular meter reads – Bills are created from actual reads if we have them, so if a site stops consuming, their variable direct debit will reflect this e.g. If they aren’t consuming, they get minimal or SC only bills. Customers can submit meter reads via their online account: https://www.britishgas.co.uk/business/your-account/login. Customers should adhere to government social distancing advice when obtaining reads.